Monday, May 9, 2011

Here is what a scholar of Swahili popular culture said about my book:The analysis of lyrics and the living conditions of artists yields a worthwhileintroduction to the status of youth in contemporary societies. Particularly for undergraduate students or those just learning about Africa, the quick pace of the chapters provides an invigorating sense of the relevance of youth, music and social conditions in three countries. Ntarangwi’s writing style is also devoid of heavy jargon or verbose passages, and will appeal to general interest readers.For scholars interested in the history or in-depth analysis of music in EastAfrica, the monograph often moves too quickly to explore topics fully. Thelives and careers of artists, as well as the reasons people are drawn to hip hop, are hardly addressed. There is almost no detail about the sound of East Africanhip hop and how the music pushes the themes of the lyrics. For scholars of East Africa, the inclusion of lyrics in English versions only makes it impossible to read more into them, or to check translations. Finally, even though the ethnography focuses on all of East Africa, it is strongest in examining Tanzania and Kenya and somewhat limited when it turns to Uganda.Overall, this is an important regional study. As new economic and political partnerships emerge within regions such as East Africa, such studies are increasingly necessary to interpret the meaning and significance of cultural forms – of which popular music is certainly an important example.ALEX PERULLOBryant UniversitySource: muse.jhu.edu/journals/africa_the_journal_of_the.../80.4.perullo.pdf

Sunday, May 8, 2011

When technology allows one so much access to news and possibilities of linking up with family and friends, what happens when one does not use it? I have found that while I really was excited about setting up my blog, I cannot quite keep actively entering posts. This has meant that I am not quite the blogger I had hoped to be but I think I have a reason to start now. Now that my family and I are going to Kenya in June I think I will find enough stories to share on this blog. So keep checking for those stories.

Followers

About Me

I am a cultural anthropologist by training and have multiple interests but all relate to intercultural engagement and understanding. I am mostly attracted to popular culture and the ways in which it is used to frame different social questions.